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Jordan

FIFA Ranking: 109

Nickname: The Chivalrous.

When do the Socceroos play Jordan? At 10:00pm AEDT on Sunday January 6.

How have the Socceroos fared against them?

The Socceroos have played Jordan in two separate World Cup qualification campaigns in recent years, winning both games at home by comfortable margins (4-0 in 2013 and 5-1 in 2016) but twice lost in Amman, 2-1 under Holger Osieck on the road to Brazil 2014 and 2-0 under Ange Postecoglou in 2015.

What's its form like?

Jordan suffered a 1-0 defeat in its warm-up game against Asian Cup newcomers Kyrgyzstan just before Christmas and have only won one of its seven since September, a 2-1 victory over India at the King Abdullah International Stadium in Amman on November 18.

That game against India was notable for talismanic captain (and goalkeeper) Amer Shafi scoring the opening goal of the match — and first of his career — from inside his own area.

Despite their poor recent form, The Chivalrous were unbeaten in topping their group in the third round of qualifying, recording wins over Cambodia (7-0 and 1-0), a win and a draw over Afghanistan (4-1 and 3-3) and draws against Vietnam (0-0 and 1-1).

Key player: Musa Al-Taamari.

As the only player in the Jordan squad playing outside of Asia, 21-year-old striker Musa Al-Taamari will be the one to watch.

Al-Taamari has scored seven goals in 11 games for APOEL in Cyprus so far this season, and netted in Jordan's 1-1 warm-up draw with China in Doha before the New Year.

Palestine

When do the Socceroos play Palestine? At 10:00pm AEDT on Friday January 11.

How have the Socceroos fared against them?

Well actually, we've never met in a competitive match.

Maccabi Tel Aviv toured Australia in 1939, and were referred to as Palestine in some reports, but the game on January 11 will be the first official meeting.

How's its form?

Palestine has won just one of its 10 games in 2018, a 2-1 victory over Pakistan in Jerusalem in November.

Other than that bright spot, it's been a barren year for the Lions, especially considering they lost just once in the third round of qualifying for the Asian Cup in 2017.

The Lions finished in second spot in Group D on goal difference behind Oman, despite scoring 25 goals in six games, including hammering The Maldives (8-1) and Bhutan (10-0) at home.

What else should we know?

Palestine qualified for its maiden Asian Cup in Australia in 2015, although finished bottom of a tough Group D that included Japan, Iraq and Jordan, scoring once and conceding 11.

Key player: Abdelatif Bahdari.

The most experienced player in the side with 89 caps, defender Bahdari plays his club football for Markaz Balata in the West Bank Premier League and will don the captain's armband during the tournament.

Syria has won its last two matches, including a 1-0 victory over Yemen on New Year's Eve and a 2-1 victory over Kuwait in November.

Aside from that, 2018 has not been too kind to the Qasioun Eagles, with the only other victories coming against Azerbaijani club side Qarabag FK and a 1-0 friendly victory over Bahrain.

Since losing to Australia and missing out on the 2018 World Cup, Syria have played ten games, winning four, drawing four and losing two.

Syria is appearing in its sixth Asian Cup, having missed out in 2015 after failing to qualify amidst the tumult of the country's civil war.

Player to watch: Omar Al Soma.

A prolific goal scorer for Saudi giants Al Ahli, for whom he has scored 84 goals in 82 league appearances, winning three consecutive golden boot awards. The Socceroos are well aware of the threat the 29-year-old poses.

Al Soma scored two of his seven goals for Syria against Australia in those World Cup play-off matches, and also hit the post with a last-minute free kick that left Matt Ryan floundering.